Tag Archives: confessional

Different confessional practices/customs around the world

Under another entry concerning “confessional etiquette” a commentator raised the good point that people from different language/ethnic backgrounds have different formulae for beginning and ending their sacramental confessions. Most Americans of a certain age learned to begin “Bless me Father, … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, GO TO CONFESSION, Linking Back, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Our Catholic Identity | Tagged , , ,
50 Comments

QUAERITUR: Confessional etiquette

From a reader: When going to confession, if you know the priest is a Monsignor (name plate on confessional) would you begin, “Forgive me, Monsignor, for I have sinned,” or stay with the simple, “Forgive me, Father, for I have … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, GO TO CONFESSION, Lighter fare | Tagged , , , ,
21 Comments

A priest on hearing confessions for three hours

I don’t know if I have mentioned it lately but… GO TO CONFESSION! For that to be possible priests have to get into the box and hear confessions. To this end, I point you to an amusing post by Fr. … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Mail from priests, New Evangelization, Our Catholic Identity | Tagged , , ,
42 Comments

QUAERITUR: Face-to-face confession. Fr. Z rants.

From a reader: I am trying to figure out what was the rationale to change the rite of confession to allow for face-to-face confessions. I have read the documents of Vatican II, but did not see anything there specifically addressing … Read More

Posted in GO TO CONFESSION, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Our Catholic Identity, Wherein Fr. Z Rants | Tagged , , , , , ,
60 Comments

QUAERITUR: Priest walking around outside the confessional, able to see penitents.

From a reader: I went to make confession at a local parish, but saw the priest walking around near the confessional. Since it’s not a priest I wanted to make my confession to, I left to go to another church. … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, GO TO CONFESSION, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000 | Tagged , , ,
58 Comments

QUAERITUR: Long confession lines, having only venial sins, and blocking someone else’s chance to confess

From a reader: Last week I was in line for a long time, and finally entered the confessional around 3:25. As I was leaving, the sacristan came in behind me to tell Father it was time to prepare for Mass. There were still … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Our Catholic Identity | Tagged , , , , , ,
48 Comments

QUAERITUR: Priest’s role, duty when someone “misuses” confession

From a reader: When does the Seal of Confession actually take affect in that the priest can’t say anything outside of the Confessional? For example, if someone goes into the confessional/reconciliation room with no intention of confessing, but some form … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box | Tagged , , ,
15 Comments

BISHOPS & PRIESTS: a revival of the Sacrament of Penance is critical for a revival of our Catholic identity.

It is critical to our identity as Catholics to revive the use of the Sacrament of Penance. I think there are some moves in that direction on the part of younger priests, but we need also a grassroots effort of … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, Brick by Brick, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Our Catholic Identity, The Drill, The future and our choices | Tagged , , , , ,
36 Comments

QUAERITUR: I did something stupid when the confessor thought I was a man.

From a readerette: I went to Confession tonight and did something stupid that might have either invalidated it, or possibly was considered a sacrilege, but I’m not sure. I have a slightly embarrassing/awkward/frustrating problem that surfaces from time to time. I’m a … Read More

Posted in SESSIUNCULA | Tagged , , ,
Comments Off on QUAERITUR: I did something stupid when the confessor thought I was a man.

Waiting and waiting and waaaaaiting in line for confession. Fr. Z rants.

From a reader: If you’re sitting in the box and no one’s coming, double-check to make sure the other side isn’t stuck in the “occupied mode”. Father, I went to confession last night, as did several other people. We patiently … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Wherein Fr. Z Rants | Tagged , , , , , ,
40 Comments

QUAERITUR: What to say if confessing to a bishop, cardinal, pope?

From a reader: If you were confessing to a Bishop or a Cardinal or even the Holy Father would you say “Bless me Bishop” or “Bless me your Eminence” etc etc? Sure.  You could do it that way.  If would … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box | Tagged , , , ,
16 Comments

QUAERITUR: Can I make the Act of Contrition in Latin?

From a reader, edited: Would it be acceptable, when in the confessional, to recite the Act of Contrition in Latin? Over the past several years I have become proficient in a fair number of Latin prayers, including those of the … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box | Tagged , , , , ,
13 Comments

THE list again: Fr. Z’s 20 Tips For Making A Good Confession (and Fr. Z rants)

You and I are going to die someday.  We don’t know when. When we die we will be judged. Scripture teaches, and Christ’s own words and actions make clear, that there are some sins bad enough to kill the life … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, Brick by Brick, Linking Back, New Evangelization, Our Catholic Identity, The Drill, The future and our choices, Wherein Fr. Z Rants | Tagged , , , , , , ,
34 Comments

QUAERITUR: recording my own confession

From a reader: Under stress, my mind goes blank. I find Confession really stressful, so therefore can not mentally absorb the advice of the priest nor remember hardly anything he says afterwards. I feel I am missing a lot of … Read More

Posted in ASK FATHER Question Box | Tagged , ,
25 Comments

QUAERITUR: confessor without a stole, outside a confessional

From a reader: Today I was reading “Pardon and Peace” by Fr. Randolph, and he writes “Church law requires that confessions should normally be heard in a proper confessional” and that for hearing confessions “a priest should always wear a … Read More

Posted in ASK FATHER Question Box | Tagged , , ,
24 Comments

Internal forum/confession and reporting crimes to the state

My friend Fr. Ray Blake, parish priest in Brighton at St. Mary Magdalen has a very good entry on his blog.  To a degree it represents also some of my own reflections in the last few days. Let’s have a … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, Clerical Sexual Abuse, Our Catholic Identity, The future and our choices | Tagged , ,
31 Comments